Botho University (BU) partnership with Duale Hochschule Baden-Wuerttemberg (DHBW) continues to grow in leaps and bounds. On Tuesday 12th July 2022, DHBW Lorrach-Tourism Department met with Botho University, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sheela Raja Ram, and BU Senior Management including Pro-Vice-Chancellor Communications, Mr Golekanye Setume and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Quality), Dr Ivy Rose Mathew. Representatives from the Faculty of Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism included: Professor Oliver Chikuta, Dr Tonderai Vumbunu, Ms Esther Sethunya Mogami and Ms Olivia Nthoi.
DHBW team was led by Professor Wendy Fehlner and Professor Valentin Weislamle joined by Ms Kelly Avon, Ms Sandra Schlachter, Ms Philipp Schliesser and Ms Thereza Kistner. The main aim of the visit was for the project to develop a Technology Integrated Module for Sustainable Tourism Education: Synergising Expertise from Botswana and Germany. In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sheela Raja Ram delightfully shared how the partnership with DHBW was at the heart of what BU believes in which is Graduate Employability. She further mentioned that the Botho Graduate Profile(BGP) was important in ensuring that BU produces graduates who are self-starters and job creators instead of job seekers. BU’s programmes aim to take the graduates beyond the classroom to address the growing concern of job creation in Africa. This was achieved by creating productive solutions through various initiatives such as developing entrepreneurship skills embedded in the curriculum.
Professor Wendy Fehler from DHBW, happily remembers how the partnership started when she was doing research on Sustainability Tourism and came across the incredible efforts of Botho University in sustainability. She indicated that the partnership was a perfect fit as BU is known for its digital technology and online learning while DHBW’s strengths lie in Work Integrated Learning or Dual Learning. The collaboration has born massive results for both parties and has seen the project funded to the tune of €140,000.
The visit by the DHBW team will include an educational and valuable itinerary that will highlight the commitment to community tourism development and collaboration of the project, by visiting tourist sites and engaging with communities in Goo Moremi Gorge, Malaka, Mankgodi Cultural Village and Three Chiefs Monument in Gaborone. Furthermore, there will be visits to the Faculty of Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism(FHST) partners on the Dual Learning programme such as The Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort and Protea By Marriott Gaborone Masa Square.
